Research

I have a long standing interest in how cells respond to their environment – mechanistically,
a process commonly known as signal transduction. The current
focus of our studies is on how one pair of molecules, Nrg1 and ErbB4,
interact to regulate synapse formation and maintenance. The Nrg1
gene encodes a family of ~20 different proteins that serve as ligands
for members of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. These
proteins have long been recognized as playing important roles during
vertebrate development, and inappropriate Nrg1 – ErbB signaling
plays key roles in such diverse diseases as breast cancer and schizophrenia.

To learn more: visit my web page at the Dept. of Pharmacological Sciences